Strawberry Jam..and as always 3 things to do with it!

Try this jam recipe.... it is so easy! The quantity of sugar and raw honey you add is completely up to you (because everyone likes flexibility right?).

3 pints of fresh strawberries

3 cups of sugar (you can also substitute for raw honey here)

2 tablespoons of orange liqueur

1/2 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced small

1. Place the berries in a deep pot and mix in sugar and orange liqueur.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Add apple and continue to stir until the mixture reaches 220 degrees on thermometer (around 25-35 mins.)

3. Skim any foam from top and discard.

4. Cool to room temperature and store in fridge or freezer jars if keeping longer.

Three things to do with your jam:

1. fill mini whole wheat pita's cut in half with jam and/or cream cheese. This is a great appetizer and Dakota's favorite for her lunch box.

2. Pour jam over a 8 oz block of light cream cheese and surround by your favorite cracker.

3. Warm up jam in the microwave and spoon over ice cream for a great looking dessert, add mint leaf and your a chef!

Reconstructive surgery, how long

We always want more time and never seem to find it. Then there are the few times that we are given time and we just don't know what to do with it or can't wait till the next "event".

Reconstructive surgery, my DIEP Flap, it was recommended that I not lift or do anything strenuous for 6weeks. In the early weeks I just didn't want to do anything anyways...I was happy to sit back in my Mom's lazy boy and just watch a television show or take an extra nap.

It was at week 2 that I just had to "do something" and not just read and drink herbal teas all day. When I am reading this now how silly this is; I have been looking for the time to start writing notes for my new book, or journal in Dakota's book that I am saving for her and yet when given the time I just felt like I needed to be accomplishing something.

With DIEP Flap surgery you need to plan to relax, not lift small children and know that you have the support system, like I do, around you to assist. Plan to have many books, I actually knit cotton dish cloths and read the newspaper from front to back each day! Starting to take small walks in the first week and then some light activities, I truly had my grove in 3 weeks and did not lift, even my pots, for 6 weeks.

Please do me one favour if you are considering this time to recoup.....actually find a way to enjoy it and take the time to do what we should do after all that we have been through...just relax

Best Health

mm

3 Things to do with Watermelon!

Hey Folks!

I thought I would share with you three things to do with watermelon so that you had some tricks up your sleeve for those hot summer days.

Cook Once- Speedy Watermelon Popsicles

1. Cut 3/4 inch (2cm) peeled slices of seedless watermelon into 3-inch (8-cm) long triangles.

2. Push a popsicle stick into the wide end of each triangle.

3. Coat top two-thirds of watermelon triangles in unsweetened coconut.

Produce One- Watermelon Punch

1. Process 6 cups (1.5L) cubed, peeled seedless watermelon in a food processor until smooth.

2. In a large pitcher, stir together watermelon puree and 3 cups (750mL) each of cranberry cocktail and club soda.

3. Pour into glasses and garnish with cubes of watermelon.

Produce Two- Watermelon and Feta Salad with Mint

1. Arrange two 1/2 inch-(1 cm) slices peeled seedless watermelon on salad plates.

2. Scatter each portion with 1/4 cup (50mL) crumbled feta.

3. Sprinkle each with 1 tbsp. (15 mL) of olive oil, 2 tsp (10 mL) torn mint leaves, and a pinch of black pepper.

I hope you all enjoy this recipe and I would love to hear what you think about it! Best Health to you all!

reconstructive surgery post mastectomy...my journey

Kid's need to know!

Dakota was 3 years old when I was originally diagnosed and although it broke my heart that I got sick, as I felt like I had let her down, it was what drove me to stay strong and positive through all that has happened.

Surgery is tough, no disguising this! Kid's I feel need to know what is happening, although age appropriate is always best. When I decided on reconstructive surgery we started to prepare Dakota that I would be back in the hospital, I was in for 5 days, and when I came home I would have 3 drain tubes. Dakota new about the tubes because I had them after my mastectomy( this was because my cancer had spread and I had to have surgery in my left arm for my lymphatic system). We explained to Dakota that this surgery was because they were putting Mommy "back together" and we were moving on !!! Dakota was so happy that she went to her kindergarten class and told them ALL that her Mom was getting a "new boob"!!!!!

Well if you can't laugh at a child's honesty then I am not sure what all this journey if for.

Kid's need to know; letting them take the journey with you allows them to respect others, show caring at time of suffering and be prepared better for what is ahead.....even if it is just a "new boob".

Best Health,

mm

Reconstructive surgery post mastectomy...my journey

Humpty Dumpty back together again, this is how I am feeling now all put back together!

I have been discussing my journey through DIEP Flap surgery that I completed 6 weeks ago and trying to answer all the questions and queries with my personal decision and journey.

Many have asked about the look and feel since surgery, well it is not the same as my original breasts, but I love not having the prothesis. Still not ready to wear t-shirts or anything tight as I still need to lift my right breast for "balancing". I am feeling more comfortable each day with the new body....I believe this comes down to your expectations post surgery?

The surgery was over 10 hours and for me the recovery in the beginning was slow but I realized once I hit the 3 week mark that all started feeling better and my energy was improved, therefore allowing me to start physically moving and healing.

Tomorrow I will start the discussions on what happened post surgery, the tubes the stitches etc. and what my daughter was like when I came home

Keep me posted with any questions and again this is just from my perspective and how my journey continues .....but glad to share and be honest!!

Best Health

mm

Reconstructive surgery post mastectomy...my journey

TIMING.......Isn't everything in life about timing?

My surgery had to be(or preferred) a year post radiation. My treatment consisted of 6 rounds of chemotherapy and 26 rounds of radiation, so once this was completed, then it was preferred that I wait 12 months before moving ahead with any surgery.

My DIEP Flap surgery was therefore 14 months from my last radiation treatment. Some say that they are not ready this early to make a decision and others cannot wait to have the surgery. My feelings are, that this stage of the process is so personal, and when I decided to move forward, then I couldn't wait to get the appointment and begin the journey.

Now I have to return back for surgery two more times. I will need to have surgery for a lift on my right side; this will better match the new breast. This surgery needs to be done after 3 months of recovery from the major surgery. After this you can choose to return for the last surgery, which would be for nipple reconstruction(again for some this is an option).

So timing, from being diagnosed to post surgery is almost 2 years; from this point till last surgery will be 2 1/2 - 3 years..... then "I am off the bus" with just regular check-ups!

So next time you meet someone that is going through cancer or someone who is supporting a loved one through cancer remember..... when you ask if it is over........ it is a long process and the support is not just during treatment!

Thank you to all that have supported my family and I, and continue to cheer us on.... we do love all of you! On Monday I will take a deeper dive into the surgery itself.... again from my personal perspective so please come back and have a coffee with me!

Best Health

mm

Reconstructive surgery post mastectomy...my journey

Why have reconstructive surgery? Well I am in my early 40's and with many more years ahead it only made me realize that how I feel everyday about my body does play an impact on my mind. Many of my friends and even my Mother were shocked to see my prosthesis and feel the weight of what I was carrying around each day. I only have one breast removed, so it was very necessary for me to wear the prosthesis in order to resume to some "normal" clothing attire. My prosthesis weighed close to 5lbs..... and yes I ran my first half marathon wearing it that day....insane....just a little!!!

So my decision was made and my other decision that took me awhile to conceive, was should I remove my "healthy" breast? I was confident after several discussions with my doctor's and doing my own research that the percentage of risk for cancer spreading to the other breast was minimal compared to my other risks. Therefore I decided to leave it, and this way I still have a part of me..... something natural that has feeling, not numb or somewhat "lifeless" as the new tissue(breast).

The process of making these decisions took me through a year's journey, but for those that do know me well, you know that once I have made a decision it is final and we move on!!!

Please remember that my decision to write this journey on my blog was that I am asked so often about this surgery and the stages. So please join me as I write through these next steps each day......and never hesitate to share your thoughts and comments

Best Health

mm

Reconstructive Surgery after Masectomy

Yes we are going to talk about the breast again!!!! I agreed to journal my experience through reconstructive surgery since my mastectomy..... but only to give my true experience for anyone that may have any questions or concerns from a breast cancer patients point of view.

My surgery was exactly 4 weeks ago today and I have been told by the surgeon that I should be able to resume some "normal" activities by week 6 and a full recovery by week 12......so I attempted some light gardening this weekend and as much as I love my garden, my body just was not ready.

So what kind of reconstructive surgery did I have? I had the Diep Flap surgery, performed at Toronto General Hospital and they are currently performing 1 of these surgeries a week. My surgery was a total of 11hours and performed by multiple surgeons. So what is Diep Flap?

A DIEP flap is a type of breast reconstruction in which blood vessels called deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP), and the skin and fat connected to them are removed from the lower abdomen and transferred to the chest to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy without the sacrifice of any abdominal muscles.

The DIEP flap is similar to the muscle- sparing free TRAM flap but only requires the removal of skin and fat. Unlike with the TRAM procedure no muscle is sacrificed. The blood vessels, or perforators, required to keep the tissue alive lay just beneath or within the abdominal muscle. Therefore, a small incision is made in the abdominal muscle in order to access the vessels.

After the skin, tissues and perforators (collectively known as the "flap") have been dissected, the flap is transplanted and connected to the patients microsurgery. The plastic surgeon then shapes the flap to create a new breast. As no abdominal is removed or transferred to the breast patients experience less pain post-operatively and a faster recovery compared to the TRAM flap patients. Abdominal strength is also maintained long-term following the DIEP flap procedure.

Many women who undergo this form of reconstruction enjoy the added benefit of a flatter abdomen, with the results that mimic a "tummy tuck" procedure. The risk of abdominal complications such as a bulging and hernia is also very small, much smaller than with the TRAM flap method of reconstruction. As with all other types of breast reconstruction however, 2 or 3 stages performed a few months apart are often required to complete the reconstruction process and to obtain the best cosmetic result.

Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the surgery few breast cancer centers offer DIEP flap breast reconstruction despite the many advantages the procedure offers the TRAM flap.

Stay tuned for more stories about my journey through this surgery.